Dixon Public Schools

The Dixon School Board approved five new hires, one resignation and one retirement during Wednesday night’s school board meeting.

In less than 24 hours, Jefferson Elementary School’s lunch debt, which stood at $1,168, has been paid off through a donation campaign organized by the mother of a third-grade student.

A Dixon mom of a third grader at Jefferson Elementary is leading a fundraiser with the goal of wiping out student lunch debt at the school.

On Lee County’s ballot for the April 2025 election, four incumbent Dixon school board members will run uncontested to retain their seats, according to the County Clerk’s Office.

In December 2022, the board was presented with a long-term financial plan to improve the district's financial position. The first step, approving $650,000 in taxable general obligation refunding school bonds, was completed in February 2023. The board last week took the next step.

The Dixon School Board approved 15 personnel actions at its Wednesday, Nov. 20, school board meeting.

Performances are at 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Spearheaded by Sterling FFA Sentinel Kadielynn Nelson and President Grace Wetzell, the group worked with Meals from the Heartland, an organization made up of volunteers who package meals that are then sent to underserved communities.

As students across Illinois are starting to bounce back from pandemic disruptions in 2020, Rock Falls’ elementary and secondary school districts are standing out, with students showing the highest increase in English language arts proficiency.

If the school board decides to use the Illinois Association of School Boards for its search, the process could begin in spring 2025. Using that timeline, the job opening would be posted in July 2025.

Search our table to see what designation your Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside county school received on the 2024 school report card.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside county students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement.

After hearing complaints from teachers, staff members and parents, the Dixon School Board is weighing how to stem 'violent' behavior in Washington Elementary School's kindergarten classrooms.

Dixon Public Schools celebrated the opening Saturday of the newest addition to the district, Thomas J. Dempsey Therapeutic Day School.

As both an introduction to the community and a thank you to Raynor, Dixon High School held an open house/plaque unveil Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, for the school’s newly renovated Career and Technical Education space.

The Dixon School Board approved several personnel actions Wednesday night, including new hires, retirements and volunteer coaches.

No weapons were found on the students or at the school, police say.

School Resource Officer Chris Cox will be retiring after serving 16 years at the Dixon Police Department. His last day at the high school will be Oct. 4. Taking over the position is Officer Matt Coffey, who will begin Monday, Sept. 30.

The hope is to get more teachers to attend training sessions, which have seen a steady participation decline over the past few summers.

Sewer work being done on Fargo Avenue was the source of the smell, city officials said.

Several Dixon Police Department marked squad vehicles and officers will be at Madison Elementary, Reagan Middle School and Dixon High School in response to potentially threatening Snapchat messages that surfaced last week, according to a police department Facebook post.

Both districts’ growing attention to ag offerings has been spurred by two things, teachers say: the hands-on nature of ag programs and the lessons students can directly apply to their own lives.

In celebration of the 100-year mark since President Ronald Reagan began his freshman year at Dixon High School, the school hopes to show its students that “every one of them has the potential to achieve their goals and dreams."

School board OKs new hires, resignations and coach roster.

Join UPM Raflactac, Al Morrison Baseball and Dixon-area businesses for a charity softball tournament benefitting Al Morrison Baseball and the Dixon Public Schools’ extracurricular activities fund.

Embracing the power of self-reflection, and the importance of personal insight, author Gary Shelton, a Dixon native, wants to bring readers on a journey of personal discovery.

Reagan Middle School teachers Eric Ferguson and John Taylor have collaborated on another recently published book.

Parents also are reminded that some children may need the proper vaccinations and physicals.

Dixon Public Schools is adding the final touches to its newest addition to the district, the Thomas J. Dempsey Therapeutic Day School, in anticipation for the first day of school on Aug. 14, Superintendent Margo Empen says.

The Dixon School Board on Wednesday night approved a list of new hires and resignations.

Board also approves list of hires, resignations and changes in status at Wednesday night meeting.

Dempsey Therapeutic Day School is on track to open for the first day of school on Aug. 14, Superintendent Margo Empen said.

Over $2 million of the third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grants – which brought just under $5 million into DPS – is dedicated to the CTE renovations, according to the Dixon Public Schools' Board of Education’s grant budget.

Rain moved the ceremony indoors where graduates, their families and school staff members packed the gym.

Dixon High School was awarded distinction as a Program of Excellence by the National High School Strength Coaches Association on April 17, according to a news release from the NHSSCA.

Signing day, more traditionally reserved for student athletes, was reimagined as a way to recognize the graduates who are going straight to work rather than pursuing higher education.

Board OKs slate of hires, resignations and new interns.

The awards presentation began with two employees of the year selected by the school board: Nicholas Haws, system analyst at Dixon Public Schools, and Tracy Kitzman, teacher at Reagan Middle School.

Indy and her handler, School Resource Officer Ryan McWethy, are pioneers of the new therapy dog program at Reagan Middle School.

Board also approves changes in status for five employees.

The Reagan Middle School Student Council has contributed $2,500 to support the team.

Tools for School, a program designed to provide students in need with the necessary supplies to succeed in the classroom, is reaching out to the Sauk Valley community to ask for donations in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year.

Rehearsals are now under way for Woodlawn’s spring musical theater production “Honk Jr." Tickets go on sale March 25, and performances will be April 5-7 at Centennial Auditorium, Sterling High School.

Team also has the chance to compete at nationals at Virginia Tech in late April.

The board accepted eight retirements and a slate of coaches Wednesday night.

Dixon High School has released its list of December and January Hall of Fame honorees.

Margo Empen was presented with the ILMEA Outstanding Administrator Award at the ILMEA’s annual conference on Friday, Jan. 26, in Peoria.

The National Weather Service also says to plan on slippery road conditions impacting early Tuesday morning commutes.

The Dixon School Board on Wednesday night approved several bids for work that will turn the former Lutheran Social Services of Illinois' Nachusa property into the Thomas J. Dempsey Therapeutic Day School.

The Dixon School Board on Wednesday night approved new hires and a change in employment status.